Student Exchange Programs in NE Kansas looking for local host families

TOPEKA (KSNT) - With the school year underway, for some students it's a challenge to find a place to call home for the 2024-25 school year.

Exchange students programs give international students the opportunity to come experience the lifestyle and culture of another country. Not only for them to learn and educate themselves on the United States and including a new language, but also for the host families as well.

"I think it's really for our students and communities because it teaches them about different cultures, what's going on in the world and these students bring so much to their communities," Deborah Sturgeon, area representative for World Heritage said. "A lot of times they have to have requirements to volunteer in their communities and do presentations about their countries. So, they educate our communities by coming." 

Hosting a student is a simple process with an application, acceptance and house visit. But this year, many agencies have found difficulty in finding host families for international students.

"A lot of Americans, which we all are, are from another country. They can host Germany if they're family's from Germany or Italy," Anita Sass, Regional Manager for CETUSA, said. "They can learn first hand on what the culture is like that. It just brings more global awareness in the world." 

Northeast Kansas agencies are still looking and accepting applications for local families to host students this coming school year.

CETUSA - Council for Educational Travel, USA

World Heritage Exchange

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